Head of Capacity Development Office at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Capacity Development Office

Ref:DDG-P4D/HCDO/04/18
Location: Ibadan, Oyo

Job Description

• This position reports to Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery.
• The Head of Capacity Development Office will be responsible for the coordination, delivery/facilitation and implementation of capacity development (CD) building services to IITA staff, and NARES aimed at strengthening their skills knowledge required to achieve agricultural transformation.
• He/she contributes to partnership, advocacy, networking and resource mobilization.
• He/she will identify and nurture such relations between IITA, government ministries and the implementing partners, focusing primarily on funding and program development.

Position Responsibilities
The tasks are as follows:

• Provide technical leadership and management of capacity development of IITA, NARES and others in fulfilment of the Institute objectives.
• Lead/coordinate strategy development, implementation, and monitoring of CD activities, in collaboration with other scientists and project staff, as well as project partners; provide support to project teams technically and ensure the smooth coordination of partner capacity building.
• Manage the Capacity Development Office, including staff-development, work planning, direction and supervision, monitoring quality work, and evaluation of staff performance; set up and maintain a coordination system to achieve the best use of capacity development resources.
• Identify and develop, tools, materials and processes for specific areas/topics identified as needed for capacity development of staff and partners, which help the Institute mobilise NARES to achieve agricultural transformation.
• Establish and maintain a robust framework for measuring the impact of training provided by CDO, to include feedback from participants.
• Identify, develop and manage new income generation services and initiatives within the Capacity Development Team.
• Proactively develop concept notes and project proposals to seek out funding sources to augment the Institute’s programs in CD.
• Support collaboration and learning with implementing partners and government entities to apply emerging approaches and best practices in CD.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners, including senior-level officials of Governments, donors, the academic community and private corporations to promote the strategic interests of IITA.
• Contribute in the formulation, operational frameworks and implementation of youth and agriculture programs in consultation with relevant government agencies.
• Contribute to the management, operation and performance of the Partnership for Delivery Directorate to ensure it meets its targets and supports the delivery of organizational and strategic goals.
• Liaise with the HR on issues regarding staff development.
• Assist in the implementation of IITA’s ten-year strategy in so far as it relates to the activities within the Capacity Development Office.
• Any other tasks as may be assigned.

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural education, business administration, communications, liberal arts, human resources or related field.
• At least eight years’ experience in a relevant management position and at least eight years’ experience with developing and facilitating training programs and/or management of capacity building programs

Core Competencies:

• Strong leadership experience with a multi-disciplinary, international or research organization.
• Proven experience of capacity building and learning theory and organizational development work in multinational settings in several capacity development areas.
• Ability to articulate and present material in a professional and effective manner, to a wide range of constituents including donors, government officials, private sector, collaborators, farmers, etc.
• Ability to find and mobilise resources to support capacity building work.
• Excellent communication, networking, and inter-personal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with donors, colleagues, research institutions and partners.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with changes in priorities.
• Sound political judgment and ability to be pragmatic and diplomatic with varied players.
• Good command of written and verbal English and French with ability to articulate a strong strategic vision.

General information

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date
19th April, 2018.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified applicants should send a covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service.

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